OAP rapist sentenced to 16yrs

September 10, 2012, 4:30 pm

A man who forced his way into a 75-year-old woman’s flat before raping her has been jailed.

Wesley Wilson (born 05/04/1985), of Naze Court, Oldham, pleaded guilty to rape at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Today, Monday 10 September 2012, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

View full article on Crime And Justice

The woman lives on a small estate in Oldham which caters for elderly and infirm residents, and between 6pm and 7pm on 7 January 2012, she heard her intercom system go off and went downstairs to the communal entrance.

She saw Wilson, at that point a complete stranger, who claimed he was there to see if she needed any work doing in her flat. She refused, but Wilson pushed his way in and followed her upstairs into her flat.

After checking each room to see whether she was alone, Wilson demanded the pensioner go into her bedroom. She initially refused but she was so frightened she was going to be attacked, she went into the bedroom.

Wilson told her to undress and threatened to rip her clothes off her if she did not do it. He then raped her and fled the flat.

A few days later, the terrified woman reported to a family member she had been raped and a police investigation was launched. She was subsequently given help and support from the St Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre and specially-trained officers at Greater Manchester Police.

Forensic evidence then led police to Wilson, who was arrested and charged.

Detective Sergeant Liz Hopkinson, from the Sexual Offences Unit, said: “Whatever adjective you could use – cowardly, despicable, reprehensible – it would not be enough to convey just how heinous his actions were.

“Wilson held all the power. He frightened a vulnerable, helpless, elderly woman in her own flat before raping her. I’m sure everyone reading this will be as appalled as we were that someone could commit such a horrendous act upon a totally innocent woman.

“We should applaud this woman for having the courage to confide in a family member about her ordeal. Because of that, we were able to launch an immediate investigation and preserve the forensic evidence – such as fingerprints found in her home – that led us to Wilson and ultimately led to him being locked away where he belongs for a very long time.

“For the woman and her family, who have suffered so much, I can only hope that seeing him locked away for so long gives them something to cling to as they move forward with their lives.

“I hope it also sends a message to anyone else who may have been the victim of rape or sexual assault that if you do report what has happened to you, we will both offer support in the form of specially-trained officers, but also do everything we can to ensure your attacker is caught and jailed. We know and understand how difficult and upsetting it is to relive your ordeal, but with your help we can ensure people like Wilson are brought to justice for their shameful actions and give you the support you need.”

Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. GMP has specially trained officers in place to provide a first class response to victims and help support them through the criminal justice process.

St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, can also be contacted on 0161 276 6515. This provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.